India National Football Team vs Bangladesh National Football Team Timeline

India National Football Team vs Bangladesh National Football Team Timeline

The history of India vs Bangladesh football includes several important periods, from the early regional competitions to the latest AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign.

YearMatch or eventResultSignificance
1978Asian GamesIndia won 3–0One of the earliest major meetings in the rivalry
1985FIFA World Cup qualifiersIndia won both meetingsIndia gained an advantage in the qualifying encounters
1999Asian Cup qualifiers2–2 drawBoth teams scored twice in a competitive match
2003SAFF Cup semi-finalBangladesh won 2–1 after extra timeBangladesh secured a notable tournament victory
2005SAFF Cup finalIndia won 2–0India claimed the title after defeating Bangladesh
2013SAFF ChampionshipIndia won 2–1Sunil Chhetri scored a late free-kick winner
2019FIFA World Cup qualifiers1–1 drawAdil Khan scored a late equaliser for India
2021FIFA World Cup qualifiersIndia won 2–0India secured an important away victory
2021SAFF Championship1–1 drawThe sides shared the points
2025AFC Asian Cup qualifiers0–0 drawNeither side managed to score in Shillong
2025AFC Asian Cup qualifiersBangladesh won 1–0Bangladesh earned a home victory in Dhaka

India vs Bangladesh Football Timeline: Early Encounters

The rivalry developed through regional competitions in which both national teams were seeking greater recognition in Asian football. The Asian Games and South Asian tournaments provided opportunities for the teams to compete regularly.

India’s victory over Bangladesh at the 1978 Asian Games was an important early result. Over the following years, the teams met in World Cup qualifying matches and regional competitions, establishing a rivalry that continued across different generations of players.

The 1985 World Cup qualifying meetings were another important chapter. India won 2–1 in Dhaka and repeated the scoreline in the return match, demonstrating their strength in that period.

India vs Bangladesh in the 1990s and Early 2000s

The rivalry became more competitive during the 1990s, with several matches ending in draws and narrow victories.

In November 1999, India and Bangladesh played out a 2–2 draw in an Asian Cup qualifying match. Both teams found the net twice, making it one of the more notable high-scoring encounters in the timeline.

Bangladesh also recorded a significant victory in the 2003 SAFF Cup semi-final. The match finished 2–1 after extra time, allowing Bangladesh to advance at India’s expense.

India responded in the 2005 SAFF Cup final, winning 2–0. The result reinforced India’s standing in regional football and demonstrated how the teams often exchanged important results across different competitions.

India vs Bangladesh Football Match in 2013

The 2013 SAFF Championship produced a memorable India-Bangladesh encounter. India secured a 2–1 victory, with Sunil Chhetri scoring a late free-kick winner.

Chhetri’s contribution became an important part of the rivalry’s modern history. His scoring record against Bangladesh has helped make him one of the most influential Indian players in these encounters.

The match also demonstrated how set pieces and late attacking moments can determine games between closely matched South Asian teams.

India vs Bangladesh Match in 2019

On 15 October 2019, India and Bangladesh met in a FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifying match at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.

Match detailInformation
CompetitionFIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiers
Date15 October 2019
VenueSalt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
Final scoreIndia 1–1 Bangladesh
Bangladesh scorerSaad Uddin
India scorerAdil Khan

Bangladesh took the lead through Saad Uddin and looked set for a memorable away victory. India struggled to convert their chances before Adil Khan scored a late equaliser with a header in the 88th minute.

The 1–1 result was a reminder that Bangladesh could compete with India even when playing away from home. The dramatic finish also made this one of the most widely remembered recent matches between the teams.

India vs Bangladesh Match in 2021

India and Bangladesh met twice in 2021, first in the FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign and later in the SAFF Championship.

DateCompetitionResult
7 June 2021FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiersIndia won 2–0
4 October 2021SAFF Championship1–1 draw

India defeated Bangladesh 2–0 in the World Cup qualifiers on 7 June. The result gave India an important victory in their qualifying campaign.

Their later meeting at the 2021 SAFF Championship ended 1–1. Sunil Chhetri scored for India, while Bangladesh found an equaliser to ensure that the points were shared.

The contrasting outcomes reflected the competitive nature of the fixture. India were able to win one match convincingly, but Bangladesh showed their resilience in the subsequent regional tournament.

India vs Bangladesh AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers in 2025

The two teams met twice in the third round of qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027. These fixtures were especially important because both sides were looking for points in Group C.

Match detailFirst matchSecond match
Date25 March 202518 November 2025
VenueShillong, IndiaDhaka, Bangladesh
ResultIndia 0–0 BangladeshBangladesh 1–0 India
CompetitionAFC Asian Cup qualifiersAFC Asian Cup qualifiers

The March match in Shillong ended goalless, with neither side able to break the deadlock. The return fixture in Dhaka produced a different result, as Bangladesh won 1–0.

Shekh Morsalin scored the decisive goal in the November match. Although both teams had already been eliminated from contention for qualification to the final tournament, the victory gave Bangladesh an important result in front of their home supporters.

These matches showed that the rivalry remained competitive, despite India’s stronger historical record.

Biggest Moments in India vs Bangladesh Football History

Several moments stand out when reviewing the rivalry.

  • India’s early Asian Games victory: The 1978 meeting helped establish the competitive history between the national teams.
  • The 2003 SAFF Cup semi-final: Bangladesh’s 2–1 win after extra time was a notable upset.
  • Sunil Chhetri’s late free-kick in 2013: The goal secured a dramatic win for India.
  • Adil Khan’s 2019 equaliser: India’s late header rescued a 1–1 draw in Kolkata.
  • India’s 2–0 win in 2021: The result gave India an important victory in World Cup qualifying.
  • Bangladesh’s 1–0 win in 2025: The victory in Dhaka was a significant recent result for Bangladesh.

India vs Bangladesh Football Rivalry: Key Players

Several players have shaped the modern history of the fixture.

  • Sunil Chhetri: One of India’s most influential forwards, Chhetri has scored important goals against Bangladesh, including in the 2013 and 2021 encounters.
  • Adil Khan: His late equaliser in the 2019 World Cup qualifier became a defining moment in India’s recent matches against Bangladesh.
  • Shekh Morsalin: He scored the winning goal in Bangladesh’s 1–0 victory over India in November 2025.
  • Saad Uddin: His goal gave Bangladesh the lead in the memorable 2019 qualifying match in Kolkata.

These players illustrate the variety of contributions that have decided matches, from set-piece goals and defensive headers to decisive finishes in front of goal.

India vs Bangladesh Football Timeline: Overall Summary

The India vs Bangladesh football timeline reflects a long-running regional rivalry shaped by competitive matches and important tournament results. India have historically won more encounters, but Bangladesh have secured memorable victories and drawn several tightly contested games.

The 2019 World Cup qualifying draw, the 2021 meetings and the 2025 Asian Cup qualifiers are particularly important examples of the rivalry’s modern era. Bangladesh’s 1–0 win in November 2025 added another notable chapter to the history.

As both teams continue to develop, future matches will provide new opportunities to change the head-to-head record and create further memorable moments for supporters.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who has won more matches between India and Bangladesh in football?

India have historically won more matches than Bangladesh in senior men’s international football. Exact totals vary by source and by which historical fixtures are included.

2. What was the latest senior men’s India vs Bangladesh football result in 2025?

Bangladesh defeated India 1–0 on 18 November 2025 in an AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifying match in Dhaka.

3. What was the score of India vs Bangladesh in the 2019 World Cup qualifiers?

The match on 15 October 2019 ended in a 1–1 draw at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Adil Khan scored a late equaliser for India.

4. Has Bangladesh ever defeated India in football?

Yes. Bangladesh have recorded several victories, including a 2–1 win after extra time in the 2003 SAFF Cup semi-final and a 1–0 win in the November 2025 Asian Cup qualifier.

5. When did India and Bangladesh last play a goalless football match?

Their AFC Asian Cup qualifying match on 25 March 2025 in Shillong ended in a 0–0 draw.

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